Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2021 i Country Living

It begins with the unboxing of the ornaments: The tiny salt-dough handprint. A hand-sewn sleigh made of felt. Kitschy souvenirs from assorted family trips. Each a time capsule in miniature, wrapped lovingly with tissue paper. These bits and baubles make for a merry meander down memory lane on their way to completing a ceiling-high scrapbook. A literal beacon of light—white or multicolor, it’s your call—the family tree draws people together even in the stormiest of times. To an outside observer, the garnishments may not merit a second glance. But those who know the lore behind what’s hanging from each limb see something much more special. If Charlie Brown taught us anything, it’s that even the most humble tree finds grandness in the people it brings together, the memories it holds…

Sleds While sleds have been making tracks since prehistoric times (they’re technically older than the pyramids!), the familiar, backyard-friendly wood-and-metal versions date from the late 1800s and early- to mid-1900s. Notable names like “Flexible Flyer” (to the right of “Comet”) and “Lightning Guider” (below) boast higher price points (think $500 plus), especially in perfect condition, but don’t overlook unique painted pieces (at far right) or finds like the high school team sled shown at center, which usually range from $150 to $300. Ice Skates The first skates were an essential transportation mode in colder climates like the Netherlands and Scandinavia before this freeze-friendly footwear evolved into a recreational winter pastime. The earliest detachable blades were made from animal bone and later metal (top left), until leather-boot-style skates with metal blades…

Winding up the long drive to Maple Acres Farm, the first thing you notice are the trees. Bare-limbed and lightly dusted with snow, the five silver maples the property is named for strike a welcoming note. The next thing you notice is the barn. “It looks old because everything is salvaged,” says Jessica Veley, who, alongside husband Chris, built the structure on their rural acreage (purchased as newlyweds just over a decade ago) in Byron Center, Michigan, with reclaimed remnants from falling-down farms. “Everything we used would have otherwise been destroyed,” she adds. The same can also be said for what you’ll find inside the barn. As proprietor of Jessica & Co. (jessicaandcovintage.com), Jessica spends her days seeking out and lovingly restoring large-scale salvage pieces and other charming ephemera from…

WIT AND WISDOM “The more the merrier when it comes to tree lights. Start with one 50-light strand per foot of height; then stand back, look for dark areas, and add more!”—STYLIST MATTHEW GLEASON KNOW-HOW DRYING CITRUS To create ornaments from oranges like those on Katherine Hacker’s porch tree (pg. 79), thinly slice fruit, sprinkle with superfine sugar, and place 2 to 3 inches apart on foil- or silicone-mat-lined baking sheets. Bake at 200°F at least 3 hours (the slices shouldn’t be sticky to the touch), flipping slices halfway through. Remove from baking sheets, and use a wooden pick to poke a hole near the edge of each slice. Add ornament hooks once cool.…

Perfectly Imperfect PAGE 16 Designer Barry Dixon; barrydixon.com. PAGE 17 Designer Patrick McGuire; mcguirearchitecturalinteriors.com. Makeover Takeover PAGES 18–21 “Antique White” satin Emerald Urethane beadboard paint and “Dutch Tile Blue” satin Emerald Interior ceiling paint; sherwin-williams.com. “Bridgeport” cabinets in Maple White and Rustic Alder Cappucino; starmarkcabinetry.com. “Rodino” cabinet knobs, “Klein” cabinet pulls, and “Oldham” sink; signaturehardware.com. Bridge faucet; watermarkfixtures.com. “Jurassic Black” granite countertops; mogastone.com. “Woodmore” in Oak Autumn floors; mohawkflooring.com. “Birmingham” striped rug; annieselke.com. Range and refrigerator in Matte White with brushed bronze hardware; cafeappliances.com. Nautical flush-mount lights; shiplights.com. Red-and-white striped mugs and bowls; cornishware.co.uk. “Victoria” painting; shopvintagesupply.com. PAGE 22 “Antique White” satin Emerald Urethane beadboard paint; sherwin-williams.com. “Bridgeport” cabinet bench in Maple White; starmarkcabinetry.com. “Morrison” in Red cushion fabric and “Poppy” in Rose and Sky pillow fabric; fschumacher.com. Leather cushion straps; americanlayers.com. Nautical hanging light; shiplights.com. “Jozy” table (painted Pure White by Sherwin-Williams); worldmarket.com. Our Name…

There’s an ornament I distinctly remember from my childhood. It was a tiny teacup with a sweet arched window and an itsy chipmunk trimming a bitsy bottlebrush tree inside. To my young eye, this ornament always held a special magic—I think it was the cozy scene it contained—and I recall battling out who got to hang it with my sister, Katie. (Update: I just called her to confirm that my memory serves me correctly. She further admitted that this ornament is tucked away in a corner of her closet, which is a classic little sister move.) Sibling dynamics aside, as we planned this issue, I thought about that ornament, and about how and where we find our own moments of magic in the holiday season. For me, it tends to…

Tabletop Trees Cover Styrofoam cones (we used 12- and 15-inch cones) with ornaments, attaching with hot-glue. Start with larger ornaments at the bottom, transitioning to smaller ones as you work your way up. Fill in any gaps with mini ornament balls, and top with a decorative ornament. If desired, wrap the finished trees with vintage tinsel and beaded garland. Curtain Tiebacks Add a hint of festive shimmer to draperies by threading ribbon through the loops on a couple of ornaments and then tying around your curtain panels. Door Bells Ring in the holiday season with a DIY door “bell” swag. To make, stack mini vintage baking molds and Bundt pans to form bell shapes; affix together using epoxy. Hot-glue small ornaments to the bottom to create the clappers. Glue ribbon…

Town Stats FOUNDED IN 1761 POPULATION 2,937 STOPLIGHT COUNT Zero AVERAGE SNOWFALL 82 inches per year, which basically makes it a real-life snow globe “Be sure to sample the award-winning smoked Cheddar at Billings Farm & Museum…”…and 14 more ways to spend a snowy winter’s day Rise and Dine: Start the morning at Mon Vert Cafe, which serves Vermont Coffee Company brews and breakfast specialties like the Monte Vert Cristo: ham and Cabot Swiss cheese on challah French toast with a side of local maple syrup. Read All About It: Get the latest local news and info on upcoming events via the community bulletin board, the Woodstock Town Crier. Then pop by the ongoing used-book sale in the lobby of the Norman Williams Public Library (housed in a ca.-1884 pink…

“I LEARNED TO ICE-SKATE as a little girl, but I would not say my skills are stellar,” says designer Lela Rose (lelarose.com). Still, while the Texas native may have yet to perfect a double axel, she certainly knows how to twirl up medal-worthy merriment in the form of cozy cocktails and other cold-weather courtesies. Typically, she takes to the ice in her own backyard, and while the pond-party dress code doesn’t call for bedazzled leotards, Lela does encourage guests to dress to the nines (or figure eights!). Her own attire includes a dress from her collection (pearl.nyc) embellished with a fabulously oversize vintage shawl from Jackson Hole resale boutique Womenfolk (womenfolkjh.com). “The women who own the store collect cool pieces from other locals and resell them. It’s a very cute…

Around the Table: Cheryl (author of the new cookbook Cheryl Day’s Treasury of Southern Baking and owner of Savannah, Georgia’s Back in the Day Bakery), husband Griff, assorted friends, and puppy, Story Making Spirits Bright: “We start dinner with a non alcoholic Cranberry-Ginger Shrub. I also buy wines from Las Jaras Wines in California and Tropicália IPA from Georgia’s Creature Comforts Brewing Co.” Menu Mainstays: The Chicken Pot Pie, a passed-down family recipe, sets an unfussy tone. “The crust is extra flaky,” says Cheryl, while the recipe for Ginger Cake Squares with Chantilly Cream goes back four generations—“at least!” Rounding out the menu: Roasted Vegetable Mélange, Winter Greens & Citrus Salad, and Buttermilk Crackers with cheese, pickled okra, and Janie Q jam ($14; backinthedaybakery.com). Supper Soundtrack: “Conversation, laughter, and Miles…

“Growing up, I was always jealous of homes that turned their front yards into Christmas light extravaganzas. Today these displays compete for “tacky Christmas” prizes, and Walt Disney himself would be left speechless. I guess that’s why I turned my pickup around, even on that very hot summer day 10 years ago, to take a closer look at this trio of plastic light-up carolers at a yard sale. Obviously I couldn’t resist. Every Christmas since, they’ve lit up our front yard, along with reindeers, jolly Santas, snowmen, and endless strings of colored lights. Hurray for tacky Christmas!”…

1 Coordinating your holiday plaids with your pet, of course 2 How a strand of old-fashioned C9 bulbs can make us all feel five years old again 3 Watching Christmas in Connecticut (for the umpteenth time) for farmhouse-decorating inspiration 4 The quiet calm away from the bustle that a snow-capped country house provides 5 Perusing the whimsical store windows on Main Street 6 Greeting (and donating to) the friendly bell ringers outside the local grocery store 7 Dashing through the snow via sleigh or on horseback 8 The sense of accomplishment that comes with every carefully wrapped gift 9 The fragrant warm hug of cider on the stovetop and gingerbread in the oven 10 Festooning every corner and cranny—chicken coops included—with greenery…

OBJECT LESSON: Bliss Dollhouses WHAT TO KNOW: Rufus Bliss originally founded the Rhode Island–based company, the R. Bliss Mfg. Co., in 1832 with his new machine for cutting wood screws. The company gradually expanded into other products and, by 1871, was known for making toys. Fast-forward a few years, and the advent of lithography opened up a whole new opportunity, as they could now apply colorful paper images onto wood, resulting in the 1889 introduction of their first of many three-dimensional, realistic-looking dollhouses, complete with patterned wallpapers, faux wood-grain doors and floors, and even lace curtain panels (like in this ca.-1911 “No. 203” house). They also made “log” Adirondack cottages, horse stables, and an assemblage of shops and town buildings. The company sold to Mason & Parker in 1914. WHAT…

Rosemary Beef Tenderloin with Root Vegetables WORKING TIME 25 minutes TOTAL TIME 1 hour MAKES 8 servings 2 medium-size red onions, cut into 8 wedges1 ½ pounds medium carrots, quartered lengthwise½ pound medium parsnips, quartered lengthwise3 tablespoons olive oil, dividedKosher salt and freshly ground pepper2 tablespoons pink peppercorns1 tablespoon green peppercorns1 tablespoon black peppercorns1 ½ tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary2 teaspoons pure honey1 (3 ½-pound) trimmed beef tenderloin, tied with string 1. Preheat oven to 425°F with oven racks in upper and lower thirds. Toss together onions, carrots, parsnips, and 2 tablespoons oil on a large rimmed baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer half of vegetables to a second large baking sheet. 2. Using bottom of a heavy pan, coarsely crush pink, green, and black peppercorns; transfer to a bowl. Add…